A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
